Research and Engagement
With more than 10 core faculty and 32 affiliate faculty across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities at UC, The School of Environment and Sustainability (SEaS) is a vibrant community of faculty, students, staff, and partners working together. As a hands-on major, students have opportunities to work in labs, on campus and off, as well as in the field, either at the UC Field Center or with any number of community partners across different research and engagement projects.
2025 EJAS: AIR
Environmental Justice and Advocacy Symposium (EJAS)
Friday, December 5th 3-6 p.m.
The Environmental Justice and Advocacy Symposium (EJAS) will bring together A&S alumni, faculty, staff and students across disciplines, and from around the world to discuss what's next in sustainability and justice. Join us for a keynote talk followed by interactive breakout workshops. Then stay afterward for a reception, award ceremony, and student poster session. We hope to see you there!
Program details
Registration is requested by Nov. 20th. Register here.
Research Areas
Our community fosters cutting edge research and partnerships across the areas of environmental studies and sustainability. As a transdisciplinary unit, we weave together specialties and skills to address complex problems.
Research areas include: environmental humanities, community engagement, climate, energy, water, waste, urbanization, food, biodiversity, storytelling, ecopoetics, conservation and natural resource management, coupled human-natural systems, technology, media + film, and culture, pollution, and collaborative, student-centered pedagogy! Read our profiles to learn more.
Collaboration and Engagement
SEaS faculty prioritize respectful and meaningful collaboration with peers, students, and the public in all that they do. We are committed to working with different sectors in the Greater Cincinnati Area and beyond to foster partnerships and develop locally-driven research that makes an impact.
Events, Symposiums, and Conferences
SEaS hosts a variety of conferences, symposia, workshops, and events to spark creativity and forge sustainable futures. Examples of recent events are below:
Annual Environmental Justice and Advocacy Symposium
Sustainability Across the Curriculum Workshop - June-July 2025
Ohio Valley Climate Change and Health Conference - August 6-7, 2025
Undergraduate Student Research
Dr. Amy Townsend-Small and Sacha Brewer (EVST-BS 2024) presented their research on Cincinnati gas streetlights at the Midwest Regional Climate Summit. Sacha served as Dr. Townsend-Small's research assistant, helping measure methane emissions from the lights.
Research is built into the Environmental Studies curriculum. Students can select from a wide range of experiences to conduct research, during their capstone projects, co-ops, internships, in advanced courses, or in partnership with research faculty.
Each year, students celebrate and present their work at the UC Undergraduate Scholary Showcase, the Environmental Justice and Advocacy Symposium, or at the Midwest Regional Climate Summit. For a full list of research opportunities, please please check out our Undergraduate Research Page.